Spring Has Sprung

Our spring seemed to come early this year. Maybe because we didn't really have a winter. So, I wasn't even thinking about a trip to Garvan Woodland Gardens to see the tulips until it was almost too late. My sister, sister-in-law, and I made the trip to see if any tulips were left. Some of them were already gone, but they plant so many, I'm talking thousands, that there was still plenty to see. It wasn't the best of times for photography. The wind was blowing, the sun was too high creating dark shadows, and pollen covered everything including my camera lens! I included the photo below just to show you how everything was covered in pollen. 

So, if everything looks blurry give credit to the wind, if the colors looked washed out give credit to the sun, and if they look a little cloudy give credit to the pollen. In other words, these are not the best of pictures, but it was the best of days and that's what's important to me!

As many of you know, I love hearts found in nature. My sweet sister-in-law knows this and has a great eye for finding them. She pointed this small one out to me. It's a broken pine needle caught in a cedar tree. She saw this right as we began walking the trails. This was a great way to start my day.

Like I said there were plenty of tulips to see. I love the beauty and lines of tulips. In fact, I thought I liked them more when the petals were upright and closed together, but I think I've changed my mind. Their petals gracefully open and their beautiful centers stole my heart. 

I was standing looking at the tulips when I witnessed one of those wonder moments of nature. In the picture below notice the yellow tulip and the light that seems to come from within. As I mentioned earlier the wind was blowing. As it blew the tree branches above, the flower would be in the shadow, then the branch would move just enough for the flower to be in the light. It was as if this lovely tulip had a lantern inside that was going on an off. It was amazing to see. Now I wish I'd gotten a video of it!

The 210 acres of Garvan Gardens are on a long peninsula. The winding trails lead to the tip of the peninsula where there's a beautiful overlook landscaped with flowers, rocks, and waterfalls. We took a little break, ate a snack, listened to the water, and enjoyed the beauty of Lake Hamilton and Mount Renati in the distance.

Although I went to see the tulips and they were incredibly beautiful, it was the cherry blossom that took my breath away. I've never been at the gardens when they were blooming. I don't know a way to describe them, simply breathtaking!

We had a great day together. We saw incredible beauty, we walked, we talked, we laughed, and had a wonderful lunch at the park. The only thing that might have made it better was less wind, less sun, and definitely less pollen!   Achew!! 

Celebrate

There's a celebration going on here at

Gramma's Little Corner!

Today I'm celebrating my 1,000th post!

It's hard for me to believe I've written 1,000 posts! I have never considered myself as a writer, but I think 1,000 posts might just qualify me as a blogger! I knew this post was coming up, so I've been thinking about what would be worthy of a 1,000th post. I though surely I could come with something monumental, but nothing ever came to mind. So, I'll just share a little of how this blog came to be.

In July of 2009 I was taking a scrapbook journaling class. Our instructor suggested we start a blog to practice our writing skills. So, like the obedient person I am, I began. My first posts were about sewing projects, scrapbooking, grandchildren, and what was happening in my life.

As I followed other bloggers in the scrapbook group, I noticed how beautiful their photography was. I wanted to learn to take pictures like that and began searching for help. I discovered a Linky Party called Snapshots Of Life. Every week we were given a certain day and time to take a picture of what we were doing and link it to the host's website. That was the first time I was exposed to taking what I thought were insignificant daily photos. It didn't take me long to realize every moment of the day is special.

My blog and photography really changed when I found Big Picture Classes. In January 2011, they were offering a daily prompt photography class called Picture Winter. Joining the class was very hard for me. I was afraid I would be embarrassed by my pictures. When I look back, some of them are embarrassing, but those in the class were always supportive and the inspiration was amazing!

Here's an excerpt from my first post about Picture Winter. "I've always loved to take pictures. I have thousands of family, friends, vacation, and scenery pictures, but since I've been visiting blogs, I have been just amazed at some of the photos I've seen. I've been so inspired by these photos that I decided to take a class . . . this class has helped me stop and enjoy moments of life!"

This class and this group of photographers made a huge impact on my life and my blog. I'm still enjoying the moments of my life and I'm still benefiting from those connections. In that class I met a very special group of friends. I'm still in touch with many of them. In fact, that class is where I met several of the girls I blog with over at Focusing On Life. Our friendship has spanned over six years. I've never met any of them in person, but I feel close to them. I probably know more about them and their lives than I do about some of my own kin! 

That's basically how it all began. My blog has evolved over time. I now post more about photography and my adventures, than family and hobbies. You see, when I discovered nature photography my life changed. My heart was filled with gratitude for this beautiful world God has given us to enjoy. I have a deep need to share this with you. Sharing the gifts of nature is the main focus of my blog. Other things come up now and then, but for the most part my blog is about God's world.

While I'm celebrating I want to thank each of you for your comments and your kindness. You mean so very much to me. I'm not sure there'll be another 1,000 posts, but hey, it's something to shoot for!

Bookshops, Vintage and Wacky

 The Bazaar Bookshop

In the mood for a good book? I know just the place to go, The Bazaar Bookshop which is a treasure trove of wacky books. As many of you know, I love to work jigsaw puzzles. This is my second puzzle of a bookshop. The first one was a vintage shop in an old Victorian home. As I worked it I thought about browsing through the packed shelves and smelling the old books, leather, and dust. I wondered what was in the other rooms and if that beautiful old staircase creaked.

Readers Paradise

Now, The Bazaar Bookshop it is another story! It's unusual to say the least! I'm sure you could find the perfect book here. Let's say you're looking for a book about the outdoors, gardening, or nature. You might check out Julius Freesia,  The Taming Of The Yew, or Peonies From Heaven.

Would you like a book about raising babies? Try A Pram For All Seasons, Three Men In a Cot, or The Valley Of The Bottles.

You might enjoy wandering through the ladies section; Withering Tights looks good or Much Ado About Knitting. There's cookbooks if you like to cook: War and Peas or Red Kales In The Sunset.

Let's move on to the section where we can find the classics: One Flew Over the Snooker Rest or Pot Black Beauty.

Section #27 might even interest Jerry who is not a reader! Who wouldn't want to read 20,000 Jeeps Under The Sea, A Room With a VW, Volvo In Paris, or Anthony and Carburetor? There's also a business section where you can find a copy of Lord Of The Files, Of Mice And Pen, and Seven Bribes For Seven Brothers.

If you're like Jerry and don't read much, you might like to spend time looking in between the books. There are new worlds hidden on the crowded shelves. 

There are more than a dozen trees, several people, various animals, at least three restaurants, an airplane, stairways, and a variety of other artifacts.

Did you enjoy spending a little time in the wacky bookstore with me? This was such a fun puzzle to work. It kept me smiling! I hope it made you smile, too!

Credits for this delightful puzzle go to:

The Bizarre Bookshop

Artwork by Colin Thompson

Ravensburger Puzzle

Don't Judge - Scene & Story February

"You can't judge an apple by looking at the tree.
You can't judge honey by looking at the bee.
You can't judge a daughter by looking at the mother.
You can't judge a book by looking at the cover."
You can't Judge A Book By The Cover
lyrics written by Willie Dixon in 1962
sung by Bo Diddley

You also can't judge a business by it's building. On the way to my daughter's house there is a not-so-impressive, dingy white brick building with a bright blue tin roof. All around the building is pottery and a menagerie of bright painted animals made out of metal. You can find roosters, giraffes, cows, pigs, or just about anything you can image. Although I've driven by many times, I've never stopped. The metal art, although it makes me smile, wasn't something I was interested in. But, when I was driving by recently I noticed the parking lot was full of cars. There were very few people wandering among the pottery and animals, so I knew there had to be something interesting inside the building. Curiosity had me turning around to investigate. I was certainly surprised as I opened the door and entered a fascinating gift shop. The building had been divided into small rooms filled with antiques, trendy clothing, jewelry, baby items, pottery, and home decor. Many of the items were beautifully arranged on antique furniture. It didn't take me long to realize why this little shop was so busy. The next time I need to take a break while traveling, I'll be stopping in to see what's new! As I drove away I wondered why I judge things without taking a deeper look. Getting past the outward appearance just might bring a pleasant surprise!

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I'm linking today with Scene & Story hosted by Lee and Sarah.

You can see all those who link up on Sarah's blog.

Join us each month as we choose a photo and tell a story.